What to do in Mbour
The town, first. The central market spills out beyond its walls: the surrounding streets have become shopping lanes, from vegetables to fabrics. Go in the morning, before the heat and the traffic jams. To make sense of the quay, the market and the processing site, guided cultural tours are the easiest way in; a Senegalese cooking class makes a fine follow-up to the market.
Then the sea. Sport fishing and boat trips (sunset, islands & sport fishing) leave early in the morning or at sunset, from Mbour or the neighbouring beaches.
Mbour, crossroads of the Petite Côte
Look at a map: Mbour is where everything meets. The motorway from Dakar arrives level with the town and now continues towards Fatick and Kaolack, in the direction of the Sine-Saloum. The national road, meanwhile, runs through the town, hence its reputation for traffic jams. And it is from Mbour that the southern coast road sets off, the only one linking Warang, Nianing and Joal.
Saly borders Mbour to the north: you pass from one to the other without noticing, and yet everything changes, holiday homes and water sports on one side, a working town on the other. To the south, Warang, a few kilometres away, then Nianing herald a quieter coast, before Joal-Fadiouth and its shell island at the end of the road. To the north, inland near Sindia, Bandia Reserve is about half an hour to three quarters of an hour away: giraffes, rhinos and zebras beneath the baobabs, best in the morning. See Saly, Warang, Nianing, Joal-Fadiouth and Bandia.
When to go
| November to February | Cooler weather, clear skies: the most pleasant time for walking around town and on the quay. High season on the coast. |
| March to June | Rising heat, a breezy coast, fewer visitors. A good time for residents. |
| July to October (hivernage) | Rain, humid heat, sometimes rough seas. Holidays for Senegalese families and the diaspora: the town and Saly are full. |
| Every day | The quay in late afternoon for the pirogues coming in; the market and the processing site in the morning. |
Getting there and getting around
From Dakar, the toll motorway runs via Diamniadio and Blaise Diagne International Airport: allow 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on the time of day, with Sunday returns the slowest. Taxis shuttle to and from Saly, Ngaparou and the Somone; agree the fare before getting in. To link up the quay, Mballing, Joal or Bandia, a vehicle with a driver is still the simplest option: see vehicle hire with driver and intercity transfers.
Practical tips
On the quay, stay to the sides: porters run with heavy crates. Shoes that can get wet, small notes for your purchases, a greeting before any photo. At the market, keep your bag in front of you. And have your smoked fish well wrapped: it scents everything it touches.
Nearby
Mbour sits in the middle of the Petite Côte, in Thiès Region. To the north, Ngaparou, the Somone and Popenguine; to the south, Pointe Sarène, Joal and the Sine-Saloum Delta; inland, Bandia Reserve.
Book an activity in Mbour with QFS
For the town, guided cultural tours; for the sea, sport fishing; for nature, safari. Neighbouring Saly and the Somone widen the choice. Each activity is run by an independent local professional. You pay 20% to secure your booking (the booking fee), and the balance is paid on site, on the day, to the local provider. Any official fees, such as park entry, are payable on site and not included in the price, and are shown on each listing. If you live in Senegal, you get the resident rate: up to 30% off.
Frequently asked questions
What time do the pirogues come back in Mbour?
In late afternoon, when the pirogues return one after another to the fishing quay. The quay is busy all day, but that’s when the beach turns into a market.
Mbour or Saly: where to stay?
Saly for comfort, a well-kept beach and water sports; Mbour if you want to live at the pace of a real Senegalese town. The two are side by side: you get from one to the other in a few minutes.
Can you visit the fish-smoking site?
Yes, the processing sites, such as the one at Mballing on the edge of town, are best visited with a guide and in the morning. Women work there: ask before taking photos, and buy directly from them.
How long does it take to get from Dakar to Mbour?
Allow 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours on the toll motorway depending on traffic, and under an hour from Blaise Diagne International Airport.
What can you see around Mbour in a day?
The quay and the market, then either Joal-Fadiouth and its shell island to the south, or Bandia Reserve to the north.
Do you have to pay anything on top of the booked price?
The balance for the activity is paid on site, on the day, to the local provider. If the outing includes park or reserve entry, the official amount is shown on the listing and is paid on site and not included in the price booked on QFS.
